Miami Just Gets Richer

Recruiting 2002

The Recruiting Class Of The National Champs Got High Marks All Around.

February 7, 2002|By Harvey Fialkov, Hurricanes Correspondent

CORAL GABLES -- Wearing a stylish charcoal suit and Cheshire grin, Miami Coach Larry Coker exuded an aura of confidence Wednesday as he indicated that the talent-rich undefeated national champions just got richer.

"This is probably, I won't say the easiest recruiting, but the most efficient recruiting that I've ever been around," said Coker, who revealed Miami's 22 scholarship recipients on National Signing Day.

Coker said prospect's living rooms were a lot more hospitable after an extraordinary year under his belt, numerous coaching honors and a five-year contract extension worth a reported $5.25 million.

"They fed me better, but the big difference was we did have an array of credibility," he said. "A year ago, a new head coach, they're asking, `Who is this guy. He only has three years and won't be there when you're ready to play.' I didn't hear any of that this year."

The beauty of it is that Coker didn't have to earn too many air miles as 16 of the recruits are in-state products, including 11 from South Florida.

"When Miami really got to be very good with Coach [Lou] Saban and with Howard [Schnellenberger], the fact they were able to keep a lot of these South Florida kids at home -- they decided to stay at home and be good -- hopefully, that's a trend we can continue," he said.

"I saw Ryan Moore play basketball a week ago and he's an extremely special athlete," Coker said. "Devin may be the best athlete in the entire state of Florida."

Because the starting secondary was depleted by graduation and early departures for the NFL draft, Coker signed five defensive backs. But he said Hester, a Parade All-American defensive back, will work exclusively at wide receiver and on the kick-return teams.

Coker kept it in the family when he signed 5-foot-8 wide receiver Sinorice Moss of Miami's Carol City, the younger brother of New York Jets receiver/return man Santana Moss, who holds UM records for punt return yardage, receiving yardage and all-purpose yards.

"He's like Santana, only bigger," Coker said. "I wanted him to know we recruited him because of who he is, what he brings to the table. Santana was Santana."

Coker was thrilled to land two of the nation's top-ranked tight ends, Eric Winston of Midland, Texas, and Curtis Justus of Perry, Okla., to fill the void left by Jeremy Shockey, who bolted early to seek NFL riches.

"Winston's going to be a special player and Justus is one of the three top players in Oklahoma," Coker said.

Without naming names, it was clear Coker was disappointed that highly touted offensive lineman Max Jean-Gilles of North Miami Beach opted for Georgia, particularly with the loss of linemen Bryant McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez and Martin Bibla.

"That is a minor disappointment," Coker said. "We would've liked to have another offensive lineman."

Miami did sign Alex Pou, a 6-4, 280-pound offensive lineman from Coral Gables High, who was ranked 20th in the state by the Sentinel, and Anthony Wollschlager, a 6-6, 300-pounder who was UM's only signee from Broward County.

"Anthony had a number of scholarships offers to great schools, but he wanted to be here," Coker said. "He has the ability and he's going to be an excellent lineman for us."

Not included in the day's take (but counting toward the maximum 85-scholarship mandate) were three players already attending classes -- Florida transfer quarterback Brock Berlin, junior college fullback Talib Humphrey and J.R. Mounts, the baseball player turned 23-year-old freshman tailback from Key West.